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A Lawtey man involved in a
motorcycle accident south of Mac-
clenny last month died February 4.
John King was 31.
He was driving a 1998 Harley
Davidson south on State Road 121
around noon when the accident oc-
curred.
Mr. King was following a trac-
tor-trailer, which was behind a
1998 Camaro driven by Sherri An-
derson of Glen St. Mary.
Approaching Mud Lake Road,
Ms. Anderson slowed to turn left
into a parking lot. As the semi
slowed, Mr. King began to pass it.
He was unable to avoid a colli-
sion as Ms. Anderson turned into
the lot.
His motorcycle hit the driver's
side door, and the two vehicles
came to rest near each other in the
parking lot, several feet from the
road.
Mr. King, who was wearing a
helmet, suffered critical injuries
and was airlifted to Shands Jack-
sonville.
Ms. Anderson, 43, was slightly
injured in the accident.
Florida Highway Patrol investi-
gators returned to the scene, where
they measured skid marks and col-
lected evidence.
No charges have been filed.
Under Florida law, motorists
turning left must yield to vehicles
lawfully passing them on the left,
according to FHP Lt. Bill Leeper.
Near the accident scene, howev-
er, the road switches from a passing
to no passing zone.
This was the second time in less
than three weeks in the county so
far this year in which an accident
victim died days later.
Hattie English of Macclenny
was a passenger in a car driven by
a Lawtey man who pulled in front
of a pickup truck January 17, criti-
cally injuring her and the driver.
Ms. English died January 21.
She was 89.

Tossed cigarette ignites wind-fed wildfire near Taylor last Thursday
Volunteer Bobby Oliver surveys the groundfor hotspots shortly after several county departments and the Division of Forestry teamed up off O.C. Home Road the afternoon of Febru-
ary 10 to extinguish a wildfire. Multiple units responded because several mobile homes near Fish Road were endangered by the fast-moving flames, fanned by wind gusts of 20-25
mph. Lt. Nancy Oliver of the Taylor station said DOF cited one of the residents, Joseph York, after he admitted starting the fire by tossing a cigarette into a pile. of trash. She esti-
mates 12-15 acres burned but the homes were spared. On Sunday, a mobile home off Pleasant Road in the Blackbottom subdivision south ofMacclenny was destroyed in an after-
noon fire. A state fire marshall is investigating the cause, and occupant Yvonne Johns escaped uninjured.

. Glen man simply vanishes

John Walker at Christmas, 2004

BUD STOTLER RETIRES

NEFSH chief has

been advocate for

keeping hospital

BY BOB GERARD
Press Features
Bud Stotler is a warrior. Not in the conventional sense of a soldier
strapping on his weapons and going into battle.
But Mr. Stotler, who has been director of the Northeast Florida
State Hospital for 21 years, gets in the trenches every day and fights
his battles against ignorance, intolerance, inadequate funding and at-
tempts on all sides to either close or privatize the facility he sees as
his home.
After 21 years, Bud Stotler will step down February 24 as NEFSH's
Farewell field general. It has been an eventful two
decades that he has helped bring the facility
reception from near closure to the Governor's Sterling
Award, and a general consensus that NEFSH
Staff, patients at is one of the industry standards among hos-
NEFSH will say pitals for the mentally ill.
o00dbye to Bud No matter how dark the day seemed, he
Stotler on says he was bolstered and remained resolute
in his love for the facility, its residents, and
Thursday, the people he leads.
February 24 at "There has never been a day I haven't
1:00 pm. John J looked forward to coming to work," com-
Crews gymnasi- mented Mr. Stotler, who commutes daily
um. from Orange Park.

Where is John W. Walker, Jr.?
His co-workers at the Florida
Department of Transportation have
not heard from him or seen him
since February 1.
His two ex-wives say they don't
have a clue where he is, nor do his
parents, including 'a father who is
the ex-sheriff of Taylor County,
Fla.
A search of Mr. Walker's mobile
home in Ridge Estates south of
Sanderson has turned up nothing
suspicious, says sheriff's investiga-
tor Mike Combs.
None of his drinking buddies in-
terviewed the past two weeks have
been able to shed any light on his
disappearance.
"I can't say I suspect foul play -
we don't have any reason to so
far," said Investigator Combs.
"Am I concerned? Yes. I'm con-
cerned about his state of mind, and
why he walked away from a job

like his just a few years away from
retirement."
Mr. Walker's ex-wife Connie,
who lives in Macclenny, told police
she spoke with him over the phone
the evening of February 1; he had
been drinking and was "in a bad
mood."
According to the missing person
report on file at the sheriff's depart-
ment, Mr. Walker's daughter was at
his residence off Reid Stafford
Road the same night and confirmed
her 45-year-old father was in a foul
mood, and "very short" with her.
The only clue authorities have
uncovered, and it isn't much of
one, is that John Walker withdrew
$3100 from his checking account at
the Glen branch of Mercantile
Bank on Wednesday, February 2.
In fact, Mr. Walker's work ha-
bits were so reliable that his ab-
sence from the FDOT office off
Stockton St. in Jacksonville was

Bud Stotler looked forward to coming to work at NEFSHfor 21 years.
S PHOTO COURTESY OF NEFSH

The irony in that statement is that he never intended to get involved
with mental health when he was growing up in Pennsylvania.
Even in high school he knew he wanted a career helping others, par-
ticularly children. But at Elizabethtown College he studied social work.
To prepare for his professional career, he picked up an MA in social
work administration from FSU.

noted that day.
They called the ex-wife in Mac-
clenny, who contacted the sheriff's
department, when she found herself
unable to get in touch with him.
Mrs. Walker filed the missing
person report the afternoon of Feb-
ruary 3.
So far, Investigator Combs says
he doesn't believe John Walker ran
with a dangerous crowd or had a
lifestyle conducive getting in any
kind of serious trouble.
"He's had two DUIs and hangs
around some of the bars, but he's
known to be very quiet and reserv-
ed a guy who just doesn't say
much."
His father the ex-sheriff concurs
with the investigator's assessment
so far.
"John's so quiet that people re-
member him because of it," ex-
(Page six please)

As one of the requirements
of the degree, he spent two
years doing clinical work in the
field in Pensacola.
"God has a plan for us," Mr.
Stotler said, and it was during
those two years that he was first
introduced to patients with
mental illness.
Mental health treatment was-
n't in his plans, he points out,
but his plan and God's weren't
the same. He found that his
heart was touched by his associ-
ation with the mentally ill.
"This was an era when we
knew even less about mental ill-
ness than we know today."
There is a stigma attached
not only to mental illness but
even to the professionals who
work in the field that is not pre-
sent in other health care fields,
and so it was not an easy deci-
sion to make. But Bud Stotler
was convinced he could be of
service in changing perceptions
about mental illness and im-
proving care for the mentally
ill.
"I told my wife this was the
field where I needed to be," so
he took a job as deputy director
in the newly formed Division of
Mental Health.
He spent 14 years with the
division helping to write the
Baker Act, otherwise known as

$toCoA
BY NANCY SZANTO
News Editor
Convinced the Council on Ag-
ing has a workable financial recov-
ery plan, the Baker County Com-
mission voted unanimously Febru-
ary 14 to more than double its cash
donation this fiscal year.
The extra $143,677 comes atop
the $132,900 budgeted last fall-
and falls $30,000 short of the total
the council needs to "start at zero"
midway through the fiscal year.
The commission strongly sug-
gested the remaining $30,000 come
from Macclenny and Glen St. Ma-
ry. Macclenny City Manager Ger-
ald Dopson and Glen Mayor Jua-
nice Padgett, both present during
the two hour workshop and emer-
gency meeting, said they expect
their boards will be "receptive" to
increases.
Macclenny's donation this year
is currently $34,000, Glen's is
$3750.
"We feel if we can start clean,
we can work within our budget and
request only the usual amounts
from the county, Macclenny and
Glen next year," council President
Barbara Yarbrough said.
"If you can't live within it, is the
council willing to make further
cuts?" countered Commissioner
Mark Hartley.
"We will only provide the ser-
vices we have money for-and we
know the number of miles and the
number of meals we have allocat-
ed. We may not be able to serve ev-
eryone who walks in the door-the
same on meal deliveries and trips.
We will have to say 'no' if necessa-
ry-have better case management
on who is eligible," assured council
member Bob Lambright.
The recovery plan includes
some cuts already:
Three instead of five home de-
livered hot meals a week, with the
Monday and Wednesday deliveries
including a frozen meal for the fol-
lowing day.
Three instead of four hours of
homemaker services, plus hiring a
vendor company instead of having
employees on the council payroll.
Nine of the 11 former council em-
ployees have been hired by the ven-
dor.
Closing the Sanderson meal
site, instead busing those clients to
the Macclenny Senior Center.
Health insurance has been
eliminated, paid vacation days
trimmed, and sick leave restructur-
ed so the first two days are unpaid
to discourage Friday and Monday
use.
The biggest cash drain, the B-
Line Express, was eliminated at the
end of December. Because of the
(Page five please)

Glen postpones vote on re-zoning Hides pot on a store shelf
A hUoi.,,-hnn,. ,nl ,ted irr-Opti nof his car and went backli into

At the rLqi,-s[t of property own-
er Sam Holmes February 15, the
Glen St. Mary Town Council ta-
bled action on his request for in-
dustrial zoning for the former ice
plant on the west side.
Mr. Holmes said he wanted to
check some unspecified legal is-
sues, and also asked for Council-
member Larry Payne to declare a
conflict because he lives within
300 feet of the property.
Ironically, later in the meet-
ing-after the board agreed to table
the rezoning decision until the
March 8 meeting-Mr. 'Payne said
he already decided to abstain if the
issue came to a vote that evening.
By next month, he will have a le-
gal opinion on whether he must
declare a conflict-if not, it's al-
most certain he will vote nay.
As was the case with a.first
public hearing a week earlier, Mr.
Payne had the most comments op-
posing the rezoning. It appears he
does not dislike Mr. Holmes' long
.range plans for a showroom and
warehouse for restaurant applianc-
es and equipment.
He is part owner of Tropical
Equipment that occupies the for-
mer ice plant, and the company al-
ready services the equipment in an
adjoining warehouse.
But Mr. IP,'yne objects to Mr.
Holmes' plan to let former prop-
erty owner Kent Kirl:Iand store
dumpsters and garbage trucks
there for up to four years.
Mr. Kirkland said there are cur-
rc)fl,) about 25 dumpsters there,
down about half from a month
ago. They are "dry" containers us-
ed for construction debris rather
than garbage-and would have
nothing in them while stored, Mr.
Kirkland said.
"I'm just helping him out while
he looks for other property. I ex-
pect lti:rc will only be 6-10 there
at one time because the object of
his business is to get them out to
customers," Mr. Holmes said.
If the property is rezoned, the
council is not able to specify a
time liini for the dumpsters to re-
main, nor could the board put any
restrictions on Mr. Holmes or any-
one to whom he sold as long as a
business met the broad industrial
r'... ir::r. l ,.
j .. .-:.:r his iaroLUnint-. M r.
P'.', : read segments of a letter
from I antlir. Mercantile owner
Cathy MNlndJi'ira, one of the
group which drafted the Envision

(O''! 'doCoimcnt in 2001
"I invite each of you to periodi-
cally peruse the plan to refresh
your commitment to his cause, es-
pecially in the area of the proposed
Downtown Central Business Dis-
trict encompassing sections of Mt.
Vernon Street and Glen Avenue,"
Ms. Mendolera wrote.
Mr. Payne also cited a February
10 editorial by Press writer Mi-
chael Rinker, urging Glen officials
to "have the courage of your con-
victions" in maintaining the area
for small businesses and residen-
tial.
Mr. Holmes said he feels sin-
gled out for special requirements
not imposed on other business
owners.
"What else has been done ac-
cording to your Envision Glen?
Why don't other businesses have
to do what I'm having.to do?"
Anyone coming up for rezoning
would be held to the same stan-
dards, Mayor Juanice Padgett as-
sured him.
In other business, as the council
approved a $1750 sewer connec-
tion fee for new construction, Car-
ol Wiggins protested having to pay
$750 as one of the first group to
connect.
She complained of having to
sign over right-of-way for the utili-
ty lines, then having her front yard
excavated during installation.
Mayor Padgett explained the
initial water connections are with-

i Butch's Pain
3 5573 Ha

YOUR ONE STOF

rent-a.carf

out tap-in f6es bechaue it is a town-
owned plant, but the sewer charge
is the same amount Macclenny is
assessing to connect to its line.
Worth Construction will re-
place the yard "in the same or bet-
ter condition," the mayor added.
Jeffrey Winter of grant consul-
tant Jordan and Associates of Or-
ange Park held a preliminary hear-
ing required for the town's next

Community Development Block
Grant, a $600,000 request to in-
stall water lines north of US 90.
Councilmember Jack Reneau
abstained from a bid award to DT
Services of Jacksonville, for which
he works. The company bid $3250
to pave 260 yards of Hilliard Street.
Other bids came from Worth Con-
struction of Live Oak at $6000 and
Pro Pave of Jacksonville at $3392.

.-\ ICl enny man, I Ill \,ta. LUa kLres
February 11 after unsuccessfully
trying to hide his marijuana behind
bags of potato chips in a conve-
nience store.
Ricky Tisdale, 22, was charged
with misdemeanor possession after
the incident at Baker Beverage on
US 90.
Sheriff's Investigator Scotty
Rhoden saw him entering a car
outside the store around 1:13 pm.
The officer knew there was a
warrant out for Mr. Tisdale, so he
turned toward the store.
As he did, Mr. Tisdale got out

Nicky Dial of Macclenny was
arrested for misdemeanor posses-
sion February 13 after police
searching for a runaway found
marijuana in his home on North
Boulevard.
A 15-year-old girl, who also
was arrested for possession, let
Deputy Charles Goldsmith into the
trailer around 1:13 am to look for
the runaway.
There were several people lying
on the floor.
The officer noticed a strong
odor of marijuana and a stack of
cigar papers, which are commonly
used to smoke pot.
When Mr. Dial, 32, came out of
his bedroom, he also denied the
runaway was there. He gave Dep.
Goldsmith permission to search
his room.
The marijuana was there, but
Mr. Dial said it wasn't his.
Nonetheless, he was arrested.

When the officer asked if any
one else had drugs, the girl pulled
a bag out of her shirt.
In another drug case, Robert
Forrest of New Jersey was arrested
February 13 after police stopped
him for reckless driving on Inter-
state 10 near County Road 229..
Mr. Forrest, 48, granted permis-
sion for Deputy Benjamin Ander-
son to search his vehicle, adding,
"I've got a bag of weed in the car."
Indeed he did.
He was charged with misde-
meanor possession and possession
of narcotic equipment, a pipe.

the

store, where the officer found him ..
standing in front of the liquor
counter as if. making a selection.
Deputy Rhoden searched him
and found a single one dollar bill.
He walked to the chips, where Mr.'
Tisdale had been, and searched the
rack. He found a small plastic bag-
gie containing 2.8 grams of mari-
juana.
Mr. Tisdale denied ownership.
However, Graylin McKellum,
who'd been with him, told the offi-
cer Mr. Tisdale had hidden the pot
there.

i ittle girls in the ard
WieKtO'tle .officer that the
&t.Nellie after a brief
T'felliek hit her back.
Parents of the other girl
..' use their child % as
h 'Ga overreacted. which I

Sis that the officer
do.e lt and question this
Aiisimply because ihe.
lipsgorn the sidewalk
black.
erly, had this officer
ted arc-acctrate description of
ie.-ihe would nor have stopped
alk tot0hes& girls (Nellie is

epu~or.gan. spoke to these
a toe of voice that is
1 :ceptable, and he
.to apologize to
:'also spoke rude-
, n'she inquired
apotking for her

tie sidewalk "while
o'Hnext?
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Raorillr

vltne wceptea isofs or, ..qT-

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kt Wices in the
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- 8TI EtlUlr GBONTY ~r rq .7t 2005 Page Three

--was

nons of

Seputy

~:"":":''~i:~1')~~~"r

THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS Thursday, February 17, 2005 Page Four

Owner complies on

property dean-up, but

still protests CEB order

A man who has cleaned up his
property east of Macclenny still
contends he was improperly cited
for zoning code violations.
"I did what was asked, al-
though I was not in agreement
with all of it. But I have submitted
a request for a rehearing," Scott
Mandel told the Code Enforce-
ment Board February 14. He had
30 days from his first hearing De-
cember 13 to file an appeal in cir-
cuit court.
He was before the code board
this time in case a penalty hearing
was needed if he had not met the
cleanup deadline.
Mr. Mandel feels his property
along US 90 at Trailridge should
be grandfathered with previous
land use codes because he bought
an existing business in 1991. He
said the business began before
zoning codes took effect in the
1970s.
He has a residential zoned
trailer park, and next door a lot
zoned industrial onto which he
pulls junk mobile homes for dis-
mantling. "I've-never stated it was
a junkyard, salvage or
recycling-that's just something
they came up with," Mr. Mandel
said at a December 13 hearing.
The zoning allows all of those
businesses, but requires a sight-
obscuring barrier-a fence or tall
shrubbery.
Mr. Mandel also objected that
the county attorney was not pre-
sent for the December hearing.
"Section 10.05.14 states, '...the
county attorney or designee shall
attend.' So I was surprised and
dismayed when he wasn't here,"
Mr. Mandel asserted.
Chairman Jim McGauley said
the phrase needs to be taken in
context with an earlier sentence in
that paragraph calling for "...cleri-
cal and administrative staff as
may be required."
Asked what requirements he
disagreed with, Mr. Mandel said,-
"Fencing. If you'd built your
house in the 1970s, how would
you like to have to make it con-
form to wind load requirements
now?"
His reference was to much
more stringent construction re-
quirements after Hurricane An-
drew in 1992 demolished hun-
dreds of homes in south Florida.
"Don't you feel any obligation
as the owner to conform now?
Don't you see that it makes more
sense for proper land use now?"
Chairman McGauley asked.

"No, because the zoning was
'cast' on it, and I didn't request
any new zoning," Mr, Mandel
said.
After Mr. Mandel's departure,
Building Official Bob Hathcox
said, "I told him if he disagreed:
he needed to consultant attorney.
He wanted to talk to our attor
ney-and I believe he was just af-
ter free legal advice."
An attorney is generally not
needed, said board member Dan-
ny Burger, who with Chairman
McGauley has been on the- code
board since it was created in May
1993. "I can count on. one hand
the times we've needed him," Mr.
Burger said.
"But it needs to be at, our re-
quest -because it's our attorney,"
agreed board member Waldo
Brock.
Chairman McGauley noted it'
may be time to update the zoning
regulations to set an expiration
deadline for grandfathering, per-
haps three to five years. :.
"It hasn't been a.need in the
past, but becomes an issue when
better development comes in next
door," he explained.
If Mr. Mandel had filed-an ap-
peal on the grandfathering issue.
within the required 30 days, he
would have had to prove his busi-
ness had been in continuous oper-
ation since zoning was enacted. A
lapse of 90 days or longer in his
business license would void the
grandfathering.

CofCfete at historic Mathis House
Among the guests at-a Chamber of Commere social the evening of February 10 at the recently:
renovated Mathis House on the grounds of the Glen St Mary Nurseries Company was Emily
Taber whose family has owned the historic nmasery since the 1880s. The Taberfamily has made
the house available for party, meeting and reception rental. Ms. Taber, whose husband George ran.:
the nursery for years, and whose father-in-law1 y the same name founded it is also the person for :
whom the Baker County public library is named.

Student figh g arrests

Several students at two Baker
County schools were arrested ihe
past week by the sheriff's depart-
Sment, all for crimes involving
physical violence.
At the middle school, a 13-year-
old Macclenny boy was charged
with battery February 10 after
ramming another boy's head into a
cinder block wall.
Janet Davis, "in-school deten-.
tion educator," told police she
heard the impact of the head and:
wall sometime around 9:00 am.
The boy told Deputy Alison
Tomlinson that he did it because.
the other boy was spitting spitballs
at him.
The day before, two 15-year-
old male students were arrested for
disrupting the education process.
Prior to the morning bell,

school officials twice disbursed
large groups that apparently had
gathered to observe a fight be-
tween the two students.
Eventually. they found the op-
portunity and began to tangle, con-
tinuing even after a teacher's aide
ordered them to cease.
Over at the Alternative School,
two girls, 12 and 16, got into it
February 10 just after noon.
Teacher Stacy Vonk told De-
puty Tracie Benton that the older
girl walked up to the younger one,
who said, "She is not "about to do
something to me."
To which the older one replied.
'[W]itch, please."
The battle was then joined.
Both were arrested, charged
with disturbing the peace at
School, then released to their par-.
ents .
The next day, a 13-year-old girl
was arrested at the.alternative on
the same charge.
She refused to accept a ride
home from school officials after
her mother called at about 11:30
am to say she wouldn't be able to
.pick her up.,
The girl said she was waiting
for a friend to get her. She eventu-
allv became disruptive enough to,
warrant arrest.
Afterward, she laughed and
showed her classmates she had
been handcuffed.

R L

CERN
Bi.&S al.Jb

A 15-year-old Sanderson youth
was arrested February 8 for steal-
ing a car.
A Tennessee woman, who had
just bought the car from a Sander-
son woman, let her son drivelit;.
He said he left it in the parking
- -lot of Cuz's One*Stop around 8 pm'
with the doors unlocked and the
engine running. When he came
out, the car was gone.
The boy, after his arrest,. said
he'd stolen it from the Club 229
north of Sanderson, where he
found it unlocked with. the engine
running.
Two days after it was reported
stolen, an officer on routine patrol
spotted the car and stopped the
boy.
He was charged with theft.
In other cases:
Police filed theft charges

Notice of Public Hearing

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held on
Thursday, March 31st at 6 p.m. for comment on the Macdenny
Housing Authority's FY2005 Agency Plan Annual Update as required
by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The
FY2005 Agency Plan Annual Update will be available for review over
the next 45 days at the Program's central office located at:
402 E. Stansell Avenue
Macdcenny, Florida 32063
The Public Hearing will also be held at this location. Any person .
wishing to comment on the Authority's Agency Plan may file his or
her comments in writing with the Executive Director of the Housing
Authority at the address above no later than 5 p.m. March 30th, or
may attend the Public Hearing being held at the central office- All.
comments will be considered in preparing the final plan before sub-
mittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

~ i-Ba

against William Gainey, 33,.of7
Macclenny after a witness saw
him drive away in a work van.
Police saw the van a couple
hours after it was reported stolen
from outside a home in the South-
ern Pines Trailer Park.
After a short chase, the driver
abandoned the van and fled.
Nicky Dial, who had parked the
vehicle outside his home, said he
saw Mr. Gainey get in and drive
away.
Anthony Holmes, 23, of Glen
St. Mary was arrested February 13
for leaving the scene of an acci-
dent.
The previous day, Michael"
Jackson was traveling on Joan
Street a little past 8:00 pm when
he tried to make a right turn into
his driveway.
Mr. Holmes, however, tried to..
pass Mr. Jackson on the right, and
hit his car on the passenger side,
Both men got out, but when Mr.
Jackson went into his home to call.
police, Mr. Holmes fled. Mr. Jack-
son was able to get his tag number.
Police arrested Mr. Holmes at
his home the following day.

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A Silent Auction will be held for an exclusive Fenton item produced solely for signing events.
SThis will be One of the rarest pieces you could ever own.

Huge Assortment of Fenton products for sale.

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15-year-old steals a car
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(from page one)
public bus service, the council last
year used nearly double the
186,270 miles for which the Flori-
da Department of Transportation
reimburses.
Accurate accounting for travel
miles, since one problem has been
incorrectly including Meals on
Wheels deliveries in the mileage
tally for DOT reimbursement.
Seeking volunteers for meal
deliveries, with the proposed $30
per day stipend less expensive
than the $2 per mile cost of using
the vans.
More control of scheduling
medical appointments for clients,
to the extent of council case man-
agement workers calling doctors'
offices to explain the need to clus-
ter rides to various areas.
The extra cash will pay off a
$76,000 bank loan plus cover near-
ly $30,000 advanced last spring by
the Area Agency on Aging. The
latter is a routine "up front" pay-
ment, but means there will be no
reimbursement for expenses near
the end of the fiscal year.
The Area Agency and the Flori-
da Department of Transportation
provide the bulk of the council's
annual budget, which is now esti-
mated at about $800,000. That is
down considerably from the previ-
ous $1.3 million, which included
the cash-draining B-Line Ex-
press-and may have included dou-
ble figures when one grant was
used as match for another grant.
Finance officer Kacie Kennedy,
on the job only three weeks, did
not yet have firm transportation
figures for a council meeting Feb-
ruary 10 and the February 14 joint
session with the commission. But
she said it appears the department
will now become a balanced op-
eration with DOT funding-minus
the B-Line and with strict adher-
ence to reimbursable miles.
The unanimous vote by the
county board for the extra money
is significant, since discussion
both at this meeting and earlier
sessions indicated concern over
putting more money into a losing
operation.
"I'm having a problem dealing
with this whole situation. You did-
n't come to us until you're finan-
cially strapped, and now you want
more than our original budget to
you to get out of the hole," said
Commissioner Alex Robinson.
"The board itself wasn't aware
of the financial condition. We
should have been, but we employ-
ed people we trusted. We became
aware about September of the se-
verity of the problems. Our em-
ployees were saying we were oper-
ating within the budget," explain-
ed council member Sam Kitching.
He noted one change in the di-
rector position, two in finance
since the summer. "They haven't
been able to find contracts, agree-
ments, invoices, bills. We've been
putting paperwork together since
September," Mr. Kitching added.
"Where were your auditors in
all this?" asked Commissioner
Robinson.
The council had the same ques-
tion, but could not find on file any
of the "management letters" that
accompany annual audits. The let-
ters would have warned of audi-
tor's concerns and warnings.
The private auditing firm in
Jacksonville refused a newspaper
request last year to release the let-
ters; instead arguing it is custom-
ary for the agency-client to do so.
The Press has likewise submit-
ted public records requests to the
council for them, but the letters
have not yet been located.
Even though current council
members have never seen those
letters, County Attorney Terry
Brown said it is not reasonable to
criticize audit firm James Knutzen

and Associates of Jacksonville
since the documents were provid-
ed to management at the time.
Council Director Tonnie Blake-
ly verified February 15 she has yet
to receive copies of the letters; a
call that morning to James Knut-
zen was not returned.
The council is currently negoti-

One lane traffic
One lane of traffic will be clos-
ed for routine bridge maintenance
along Highway 2 in northwest
Baker County for four days next
week.
Flaggers will direct traffic at the
scene about 3.5 niles north and
west of Baxter from Monday, Feb-
ruary 21 through Thursday, Febru-
ary 24. The area affected is the
Moccasin Swamp bridge.

h to Aging Council... Grabs $200

ating rates with Lyons and Lyons
CPA of Macclenny for the next au-
dit.
Former director Pansy Ruise
and former finance officer Lena
Griffin knew of the financial prob-
.lems in December 2003 when they
received the 2002-03 fiscal year
audit. But they did not share the
news until May 21.
Both have since resigned, with
former council president Ms.
Blakely taking over on a three
month interim during which she
received no pay, then was hired as
a contract employee. Don Hylton
was finance director about five
months, replaced in late January
by Ms. Kennedy.
Board member Cherill Mobley
is handling the transportation coor-
dinator position following the
stormy resignation January 25 of
Dan Masterson. As with Ms. Blake-
ly's interim tenure, Mr. Mobley is
not drawing a salary.
There was no mass walkout of
the 11 drivers as feared following
Mr. Masterson's departure. Only
one resigned, and that reportedly

was because of the loss of health
insurance.
"I met with each one individu-
ally, and they had been misinform-
ed we were going to cut their sala-
ries to minimum wage," Ms. Blake-
ly explained.
In a related item, DOT repre-
sentative James Bennett said he
will check into the status of a
$49,998 grant called the "Baker
County Council on Aging Agency
Redesign Project." The program
through the Center for Urban Tech-
nology Research was supposed to
take effect last summer.
Michael Audino of the Univer-
sity of South Florida will direct
training for the council staff and
board of directors in a variety of
areas: financial management in-
cluding grants, billing and invoice
procedures; transportation pro-
gram including cost reduction and
revenue enhancement; leadership
development; public education.
The Council on Aging meets
twice monthly at 5 pm on the sec-
ond Thursday and fourth Tuesday
at the Macclenny Senior Center.

THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS Thursday, February 17, 2005 Page Five
*

A 16-year-old Olustee male was
arrested February 9 just minutes
after grabbing $200 from the cash
register at the Hallmark store in
the Cornerstone shopping center
on south Sixth Street.
The boy, along with his cousin,
who apparently didn't know what
had occurred, left the store and got
into a car driven by their aunt, who
also was unaware.
Deputy Tony Norman, who was
working off-duty at nearby Vystar
Credit Union, saw the car drive
out of the shopping center, where
it was then seen by Deputy Sgt.
Michael Crews, who was respond-
ing to the scene.
Police stopped the car as it
turned into McDonald's parking
lot.

The 16-year-old told police I.I -.
he'd done it on his own. He said
that when the proprietor was dis- .i sTh T
traced he reached over and grab- he
bed a handful of $20 bills. -.
"I did it, not my cousin. He did- o.
n't know I got it until later when I si
told him," the boy said. "I'll do -----
my little seven months for this.
This ain't nothing." ,rO,, s

. hrrii j .jmfji r i rose
jiei Irilrjeie :;Irx,

"MIF'FJ j"iJ-,n.;rrfTne
,ult'trt a 10 p
building that is functional
and attractive.

The Cabin includes a
36"x80" metal clad -" IS -
exterior door with a
heavy duty lock, full 8'
sidewalls, floor joists g
16"0.C. decked with-
'%"plywood, three win-
dows and a 6'covered
porch on the gable end di
of the building.

Treated Lumber
do to get your
county deposit, first
small delivery fee.
THAT SIMPLE"
.L TODAY!

I-l- -- --- ---------- -' -r ---- ---

THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS Thursday, February 17, 2005 Page Six

NEFSH's Stotler retiring...

(from .Tipage. oie)

the Patient's Bill of Rights, and to
help improve conditions in the
state's mental facilities.
In l',sl. Mr. Stotler was given
an even hiencer challenge. He was
i',iigncd to Northeast Florida State
Hospital. In the early 1980's the
state was trying to decide whether
to close the hospital. There had
been some adverse publicity and
the politicians in Tallahassee were
all too anxious to swing their bud-
getary axe.
For the next 21 years he would
be dodging those blows.
Mr. Stotler's immediate goal on
taking office was to instill a sense
of leadership and community on
the hospital's "campus."
"Nobody can do this job alone. I
knew I was on a tight time frame. I
told the staff I wanted them to
accept and trust me. If I was
wrong, I wouldn't be here long."
Twenty-one years later he has
established a national record for
longevity, and yet gives all credit to
his staff and lieutenants.
"Working with the mentally ill
is the hardest job in the world," the

Man damages

car by hitting

with shoulder
A Macclenny man was arrested
February 11 for disorderly intoxi-
cation and criminal mischief after
.irnmin. a woman's car with his
shoulder.
.-r-: iTr- Herrin, 31, was argu-
ing -with a female acquaintance
aimound 6 pn on Spence Road. ,
She was walking away from
lIiim when Amber Craig drove by
iadI ...t. I :d her a ride.
k-:. .Hrr ni then aippi;:^.izd the
cacr and tt rew iiim'-.l; into the dri-
sii fiea- -rin2g a large dent.
He told police he did not want
his acquaintance to leave.
In other arrests:
Vondalen Jackson of Macclen-
ny was charged with disorderly
conduct after r. 'lilii police or-
ders to disperse,
SM:. lackson, a2, v was among
several individuals on Martin
Lutlter SK., Jr. Boulevard shout-
wiig oalstenitiles at each other when
Depiaty Dwrin \\ i.k.k-t arrived at
, .t h .
All but Mr, Jackson left the area
when the officer told them to do
I It was the same pl.,'c. differ-
ent day that Laronda Ellis, of Mac-
clenny, and a 17-year-old girl
jumped from some bushes and hit
a car with sticks, beer bottles and
their fists, then sprayed Mace
:l>.,>lgi an open window,
Police could not find the pair
February 9, so they filed battery
and criminal mischief charges
against Ms. Ellis, 18, and the juve-
nile,
,The four female \ iciiin'. who
know the suspects, said they were
sitting at a sip sign when the am-
bush occurred,

$4.50 for 15 words
WHAT A DEAL!
Press Classifieds

administrator affirms with a nod.
"The people who work here are
called to this job it's a calling.
I'm humbled by what they do on a
daily basis, with no fanfare and low
pay. They work with such a good
heart and are taken too much for
granted. I'll always sing their prais-
es."
From day one, Mr. Stotler and
his staff,worked tirelessly to
change the perception of the facili-
ty in the community and around the
state, starting from the inside and
working out.
"We had to convince people
that our job isn't confined to the
inside of these fences. A large part
of our job was building bridges to
the community, stakeholders and
support groups and to constantly
educate people about mental ill-
ness. One out of 10 people is men-
tally ill. Sixteen percent of the
prison population and one-third of
the homeless are mentally ill."
Despite the startling statistics,
Mr. Stotler has seen the number of
beds decrease at the l.aility In the
early l)SO''s NEFSH housed 900
residents, many of them long-term
care and had a budget of $25 mil-
lion. Today, it houses 553 with a
budget of $58 million.
Its auiholized employei. cap
stays around 1150, and NEFSH has
been Baker County's largest
employer since it opened in the
early 1960s.
The numbers are deceptive..
Though the budget has more than
doubled, the state hospital's fund-
ing, in Bud Stotler's opinion, is
dreadfully low. He says NEFSH is
one of the lowest funded hospitals
in a state that ranks 49th out 50
states in funding for the mentally
ill.
Nonetheless, he leaves office
proud of the steps they have taken
with the money they have avail-
able.
"Over 50% of our residents are
cycled out in a year. We've worked
very hard to get them out and about
on the campus."
This is due in large part to the
tremendous advancements in med-
ications.
Improving patient care and bat-
fling for funding is an ongoing
fight, hut Mr. Stotler has numerous
battle scars in the almost yearly
skirmishes in the battle to prevent
I iouida from dAini or privatizing
the facilities,
"There were times when just
about every time we turned around
someone was promoting closure or

privatization without any good rea-
son. When you look at it there
never has been a good reason."
The hospital, with the help of
some friendly legislators and other
allies, has fought off all attempts,
though it has been a close battle at
times.
Bud Stotler says now he always
felt that these fights weren't com-
pletely negative but also that the
increased publicity was a way to
continue to educate about mental
illness.
In 1996, the NEFSH administra-
tor decided to go on the offensive.
He discussed with the staff about
trying for the Governor's Sterling
Award, bestowed annually on pub-
lic and private entities for excel-
lence in management and opera-
tion.
The preparations and paperwork
that go with pursuing the award
opened up a lot of people's eyes,
not only at NEFSH but around the
community and state regarding the
tremendous strides the hospital had
achieved during Stotler's tenure.
"We knew that this would vali-
date what the staff knew that they
were doing. In the process of going
through all the work to prepare for
the award we discovered, that we
were the industry standard,"
The award was a tremendous
achievement for the hospital and
also served as something of a safe-
ty net against its detractors.
"For the first time in years I
don't hear anything about closure
or privatization," affirms the
administrator with a smile.
Mr. Stotler is also philosophical
about the award's importance in
the big picture.
"The Governor's Sterling Award
was just a moment in time. It's
what the people who work here do
and continue to do that really mat-
ters. Their efforts fill me with hum-
bleness and gratitude. The staff
never said no to my ideas and plans.
There was a bond of trust between
us to never put this facility or its
residents in harm's way."
Bud Stotler has only one imme-
diate plan after packing his office
and driving away from the facility
that has been his home for more
than two lccades.
"1 plan It teach my grandson
how to fish,"
One thing is certain. If hle puts as
much love and commitment into
that job as Ih has in directing the
Northeast l Ioiid; State Ilospital
for 21 years, his 'l.illldsini is des-
tined to be a great fisherman.

1191 S. Sixth St.
Macclenny, FL 32063
(904) 259-8322

,265 SW Main Blvd.
I ,:ke City, FL 32025
(386) 755-4298

Glen man

vanishes...

(from page one)
plains the father, who now lives in
Tallahassee but has been staying at
his son's home in Baker County
off and on since the disappearance.
He says his son showed no
signs of distress when he visited
his parents (who have been di-
vorced for years) at Christmas.
"All of us are at a loss. He
walked away from a lot and there's
just no apparent reason," said the
father. "I've just got to believe
there's no foul play involved I'm
hanging onto that belief."
Gina Busscher, spokeswoman
for the FDOT district office in
Lake City, said Mr. Walker main-
tained a good work record in his
27 years with the agency.
His job entails a good deal of
responsibility, she added, as a pro-
ject estimator who determines how
much the department releases on a
road contract based on the portion
of the total job completed the pre-
vious month.
"It's a very responsible position
and he performed well," she said.
Mr. Walker drives a red Toyota
pickup with an extended cab, ac-
cording to his father.
He is 5'9" tall and weighs 180
pounds with brown eyes and
brown hair.
Anyone who may have seen
him since early this month, or has
information that might be helpful
to police should get in touch with
Investigator Combs at 259-0241.

Smith is elected

new chiefjudge
Judge Frederick D. Smith of
Alachua County was recently cho-
sen by fellow jurists as chief judge
of the Eighth Judicial Circuit that
includes Baker County. He will
serve a two-year term.
Judge Smith replaces Judge
Stan Morris, who leaves the post
after two terms but remains a trial
judge, mostly in Union County.
The new chief has been the ad-
ministrative judge for the family
division in the circuit and has been
on the circuit bench 14 years. Prior
to thll, he was an Alachua County
judge.

HORSE & COW-

ADM OWNERS

Equine & Beef Nutrition & Products Meeting

e February 21st at 7:00 pm

Baker County Fairgrounds
Come let us show you our products and services available
Specialist will be there to answer all of your animal nutrition needs.
Let us show you how to earn FREE feed.
Sponsored by Hodges Feed of Sanderson.
For more information call Randal at 904-699-8086
Refreshments will be served.

Fast and simple mortgages

from people you know.

'1-, uli' I .Ilt calJ'1i ..o .l', iliirp,. you waltit ill :, ll- i I ',' lW oan:
C TFompetitive rateS, Lots of options. No red tape And we 'ive you
l F n^ ^S personal attention lo help you choose tlhe product that's best for you.
Free Pre-Approvals
\ Pre-approved home tliii have greater negotiating power. And it
'.- normally takes only 30 minutes to complete your application. Stop by
-one of our '.*11 i or call \\ ..I. for an appointment at your convenience.
Call Wally today for a great loan rate.

Valentine party held for CCS clients from the area...
Pam Lyons and daughter Julie Keinath of Macclenny pose with their son and brother Layton Lyons during a Valentine's Day party at the
CCS (Comprehensive Community Services) center on US 90 in Macclenny. Layton, severely disabled since birth, is one of 14 adults from
late teens to 60 years of age enrolled in the program that teaches living and occupational skills. In addition, five of the adults live in a
group home in Owens Acres in northwest Macclenny. They were joined at the party and luncheon by fellow clients from Suwannee and
Hamilton counties. The event was organized by Lydia Ballentine and Michele Thompson.

Twin counts

of abuse are

filed on mom
A Glen St. Mary woman was
arrested February 13 for felony
child abuse after she severely bent
back her daughter's fingers and
slapped her face because she
wouldn't stop folding laundry and
go to her room.
The woman also hit another
daughter in the stomach several
times when she came to the de-
fense of her sister.
A third sister corroborated the
others' versions.
The mother said she bent her
15-year-old daughter's fingers
back in order to gain compliance,
a technique she referred to as us-
ing a "pressure point."
The girl was treated at the Fras-
er Hospital emergency room,
where they placed a splint on her
index and middle fingers of her
left hand.
She had been folding laundry at
the behest of her grandmother,
who is the children's legal guard-
ian.
Her mother, however, ordered
her to stop and go to her room.
She grabbed the girl by the hair
and dragged her before bending
her fingers back.
She then slapped her, cutting
the inside of her lip.

Drunk pedestrian arrested

A Sanderson man was arrested
for disorderly intoxication Febru-
ary 10 after initially refusing to tell
police his name.
Johnny Belford, 41, was walk-
ing side to side along the road in
Margaretta Park around 9:10 pm
when Deputy Michael Lagle
stopped him.
The first time he was asked to
identify himself, Mr. Belford said
"That ain't none of your business,"
and kept walking.
Asked his name again, and
where he was headed, he replied
loudly:

Tree relief
Agricultural landowners in need
of financial relief for trees, bushes,
vines and forest land damage by
natural disasters that occurred be-
tween December 1, 2003 and De-
cember 31, 2004, have a new'op-
tion for help through the US De-
partment of Agriculture's Tree As-
sistance Program.
The signup period for General
TAP, TAP-Timber and TAP Pecans
will end either on March 18, 2005
or 14 calendar days after the Fed-
eral Register Notice is published.
Approved funding for the TAP
programs includes:
V General TAP which is avail-
able for eligible orchardists.
v Rehabilitation and related
costs for pecan trees destroyed or
damaged by tropical storms, hurri-
canes and related events located in
a Presidential-disaster declared
county.
V Forest timber owners for re-
planting.
For more information call 904-
266-0088 ext. 2 or go online at
www.usda.gov.

"I don't have to put up with
this, and it ain't none of your busi-
ness where I'm going, cracker.
"Why y'all always got to mess
with a black man? I'm 41 years
old and I.don't have to put up with
this.
"My name is Johnny Belford.
Does that make you happy now?"
Apparently not, because Dep.
Lagle arrested him.
In the patrol car enroute to jail,
Mr. Belford added, "Next time one
of y'all see me, I am going to kick
y'all's [buttocks] or y'all will kick
mine."

Tax help available
AARP Tax Aide is here. If you
are a tax-payer in the middle to
low income range, with special at-
tention to those 60 years and older,
free tax help is available.
Aides will be at the First Baptist
Church of Macclenny on Thurs-
days through April 7, and at Bald-
win Town Hall on US 301 on Fri-
days through April 1, 9 am-noon.
You must be signed in one hour
prior to closing. Please bring the
current year's tax forms and book-
lets and all pertinent tax informa-
tion and forms.
For a complete list of tax docu-
ments to bring or for more infor-
mation call 1-888-AARPNOW or
log on to www.aarp.org/taxaide.

Get EVERYBODY'S
attention for only

*4.50
PRESS CLASSIFIED

ZBarC-3Q

Monday Nights
Kids 10 and under get a free meal from the kid's menu
with each adult dinner purchased.
259-5800 Located in the Winn Dixie Shopping Center

Notice of Public Hearing

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held on
Thursday, March 31st 6 p.m. for comment on the Baker County
Housing Assistance Program's FY2005 Agency Plan Annual Update as
required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The FY2005 Agency Plan Annual Update Will be available for review
over the next 45 days at the Program's central office located at:
402 E. Stansell Avenue
Macclenny, Florida 32063
The Public Hearing will also be held at this location. Any person
wishing to comment on the Program's Agency Plan may file his or her
comments in writing with the Executive Director of the Housing
Authority at the address above no later than 5 p.m. March 30th, or may
attend the Public Hearing being held at the central office. All comments
will be considered in preparing the final plan before submittal to the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

'Easy rose care
Praised for their beauty and fra-
grance, roses are also known for
being difficult to grow and main-
tain. For healthy roses with a boun-
ty of blossoms, The Old Farmer's
Almanac Gardener's. Companion
All-Seasons Garden Guide offers
some rose rules for gorgeous plants
year after year.
A totally carefree, truly "easy"
rose doesn't really exist outside
our imaginations, but some are
easier to grow than others, and a
few tricks will help ensure suc-
cess.
Choose varieties suited to your
climate. When in doubt, AARS
(All-America Rose Selection) win-
ners are good bets.
Plant roses where they will re-
ceive a minimum of five to six
hours of full sun per day. They
would like even more.
Diligently water your roses.
Soak the entire root zone at least
twice a week in dry summer weath-
er. Avoid frequent shallow sprink-
lings, which may encourage ffin-
gus.
Once a month between April
and July, apply a balanced granu-
lar fertilizer (5-10-5 or 5-10-10).
Allow three-quarters to one cup for.
each bush, and sprinkle it around'
the drip line, not against the stem.
In May and June, add an addition-
al tablespoon of Epsom salts; the
magnesium sulfate will encourage
new growth.
Test your soil and follow the
recommendations for adjusting its
pH. Roses prefer a near-neutral soil
pH, somewhere between 6.5 and 7.
Deadhead religiously and keep
beds clean.

Craft workshop
at Okefenokee
Join volunteer Sally Webb on
Saturday, February 26 at Okefeno-
kee National Wildlife Refuge and
create your own bowl crafted from
gourds and longleaf pine needles.
The free workshop will be from
10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the visitor
center located 11 miles southwest
of Folkston off Hwy. 121/23. All
supplies will be provided.
Space is limited to ten. Pre-reg-
istration is required and may be
made by contacting the visitor cen-
ter at (912) 496-7836. The entrance
fee will be required.

THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS Thursday, February 17, 2005 Page Seven

Submitting a picture? Try these tips.
Up close and personal, but in focus!
Always use a flash.
If it must be digital, please submit a high-res photo!

Gerlie Boylston, 85, died Feb-
ruary 13, 2005 in Gainesville. She
moved to Gainesville in 1985 from
Jacksonville. She was born in Bax-
ter and was a retired nurse's aide,
She was predeceased by hus-
band Louie Cecil Boylston and son
Robert Andrew Boylston. She is
survived by daughter Rebecca
Crouch of Gainesville; son Louie
Cecil Boylston Jr. of Port St. Lu-
cie, Fla.; sister Sadie R. Self of
Macclenny; five grandchildren and
four great grandchildren.
A funeral service was held
11:00 am February 16 at Williams-
Thomas Funeral Home of Gaines-
ville. The burial followed at Rest-
lawn Cemetery, Jacksonville. Me-
morials may be made to Hospice
of North Central Florida 4200 NW
90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606.

Juanita Conner

dies February 13
Juanita Griffis Conner, 77, of
Bryceville died February 13, 2005
in her home following a lengthy
illness. She was born August 5,
1927.
She was predeceased by parents
Earnie and Nellie O'Steen Griffis.
Survivors include her husband of
58 years, Lewis Conner; sons Rex
Conner (Patricia) and Ray Conner
(Cherie); grandchildren Chad Con-
ner, Michael Conner, Kristin Co-
ber (Adam), Erica Johns (Kevin),
Kelli Kenffedy, Ashley Padgett
(Darrell), Traci Bailey (Chad),
Melody Beursken and Brent John-
son (Leah); great grandchildren
MaKayin, Cameron, Cade, Cole,
Christian, Conner, Paityn, Jonah,
Jacob and Brianna.
A service was held February 16
at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church
of Bryceville with Pastors Richard
Fish and Eddie Griffis officiating.
Interment followed at Conner Green
Cemetery. Prestwood Funeral
Home of Baldwin was in charge of
arrangements.

Teresa Gill of

Glen St. Mary
Teresa Jean Gill, 51, of Glen St.
Mary died February 12, 2005 at
her residence. She was born in Jack-
sonville and made Baker County
her home in 1991. She was a home-
maker and a Baptist.
She was predeceased by father
Jessie Mac Warrick. Survivors in-
clude mother Betty Jean Fletcher
of Glen St. Mary; son Ashley Ray
Crossland of Glen St. Mary; daugh-
ter Teresa Danyel Gill of Macclen-
ny.
A graveside service was held
February 16 at 11:00 am at Taylor
Cemetery with Pastor Jim Cox of-
ficiating. V. Todd Ferreira Funeral
Services of Macclenny was in
charge of arrangements.

Sunday revivals
Highland First Baptist Church at
1409 US Highway 301 N. in Law-
tey will have Sunday night revivals
from February 20-March 20.

Cathryn Highnote Goedert died
February 11, 2005. She was born
June 3, 1915 in Webster County,
Georgia. Mrs. Goedert graduated
in 1935 from Georgia State Col-
lege for Women with a bachelor's
degree in education. She taught
school in Blue Ridge, Ga. for 53
years, attended Murray Hill Pres-
byterian Church, where she taught
Sunday School, was an elder of
the church and an officer of the
Presbyterian Women at the local
and presbytery levels. She deliv-
ered Meals on Wheels from 1972-
2000.
She was predeceased by her
husband of 60 years, Robert D., a
son and a grandson. Survivors in-
clude brother Bobby Grover High-
note of Dawson, Ga.; sons Richard
Goedert (Wanda) of Alma, Ga. and
Karl Goedert (Sheryll) of Ocala;
daughters Carol Tsekouras of
Gainesville, Dale Bach (Bob) of
Macclenny, Beth Bozeman (John
Baird) of Jacksonville, Linda Kiel
(Jerry) of Jacksonville, Cathy Goe-
dert of Alexandria, Vir., and There-
sa Saleh of Ocala; 19 grandchil-
dren, 25 great-grandchildren and 1
great-great grandchild.
A service was held February 14
at her church with the Revs. Doug-
las LaPointe, Clyde Wray and Tim-
othy Simpson officiating. Inter-
ment followed at Oaklawn Cemre-
tery. Hardage-Giddens Funeral
Home of Jacksonville was in
charge of arrangements. Memorial
contributions may be made to the
Alzheimer's Association of Ameri-
ca, 2123 Mango Place, Jackson-
ville, FL 32207.

Higginbotham
Annie Combs Higginbotham,
94, died February 9, 2005. Mrs.
Higginbotham was the thirteenth
child of pioneer Baker County res-
idents. She made her home in
Jacksonville for the past 75 years,
and was an independent school
bus contractor with the Duval
County school district for over 40
years. She was a charter member
of the Sonshine Baptist Church.
She was predeceased by parents.
Isiah and Ellen Harvey Combs;
her husband of 69 years, Foster;
and granddaughter, Katherine
Rose Higginbotham. Survivors in-
clude daughters Lee Richardson
(Gene) of Jacksonville, Ann Wright
(Richard) of Lake City, Genevieve
Hanson (Royce) of Tacoma,
Wash.; sons Ronald Higginbotham
and Johnie Higginbotham (Sue) of
Jacksonville; sister Lila Gainey of
Bradenton, Fla; 12 grandchildren,
11 great grandchildren.
A funeral was held February 12
at Town and Country Funeral Home
of Jacksonville with Rev. Lee
Martin officiating. Interment fol-
lowed at Riverside Memorial Park.

James Michael

Higginbotham
James Michael Higginbotham,
34, died February 10, 2005 at the
Morris Center in Jacksonville after
an extended
illness. He
lived most of
his life in Bak-
er County be-
fore moving to
Jacksonville
four years ago.
Survivors
include moth-
Ser Naomi Hig-
ginbotham of
Orange Park;
Mr. Higginbotham Orange Park
sister Cynthia
Lynn Durbin (Chris) of Middle-
burg; niece Haley Durbin; neph-
ews Gage Gainey, B.J. and Ben
Durbin; companion Ernie Comish.
A funeral was held February 12
at Christian Fellowship Temple
with Rev. Darrell Townsend, Mel-
vin L. Raulerson, and J.C. Laura-
more officiating. Interment follow-
ed at Manntown Cemetery in Glen
St. Mary. Fraser Funeral Home of
Macclenny was in charge of ar-
rangements.

Vineyard of Love Ministry
Located at the corner of US'90 and Lulu Rd. in Olustee
259-5567

A church where you will feel like family!

Revival at
New Life Church of God
Sunday, February 20 -
Wednesday, February 23
Sunday: 10:30 am & 6:30 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 pm
The Church is located at 14271 N SR 121 in Macclenny.
3.5 miles from Hwy. 90
The evangelist will be
Dr. W.C. Ratchford Sr.
National Evangelist
SDr. Ratchford is a national
evangelist in the Evangelism &
Home Missions, Church of God
..t- International Offices. He was
'- appointed August of 1998.
Dr. Ratchford received theological
training from Southwestern Bible
College, as well as an honorary
Doctorate in Ministry from
Crossland Christian Bible College.
He began his ministry in 1957 and
was ordained in the Church of God
in 1964. He held several pastorates
in Texas, and served on that state's
Youth and Christian Education
board and State Council. He was
elected and appointed to several
leadership positions and served as
the State Overseer of five different
states.

Black History
breakfast Feb. 26
Emmanuel Church of God In
Christ at 450 South Eighth Boule-
vard in Macclenny will host its
first annual Black History Break-
fast Program on February 26 at
9:30 am.
Guest speaker will be Macclen-
ny Elementary School Principal
Luanne Williams.

funeral Monday
James E. "Dugan" Townsend,
73, of Glen St. Mary died Febru-
ary 11, 2005 at Morris Center in
Jacksonville following an extend-
ed illness. Mr. Townsend was a
life-long resident of Baker County.
He worked in the trucking industry
for many years and was a member
of the Teamsters Union #512, the
Hardee's Breakfast Club of Mac-
clenny and Calvary Baptist Church.
Mr. Townsend served in the Army
during the Korean War.
He was predeceased by parents
John Henry and Carrie Williams
Townsend. Survivors are daugh-
ters Brenda Rhynehardt (Steve) of
Macclenny and Leeane Townsend
(Jesse) of Sanderson; friend Sara.
Gamble of Macclenny; sisters Bet-
ty Jean Townsend (Ed) and Mary
Lou Crews (W.S.) of Jacksonville;
grandchildren Crystal and Becky
Rhynehardt, Joshua and Justin Dy-
er.
A service was held February 14
at his church with Bro. Donnie
Williams officiating. Interment was
at Manntown Cemetery in Glen St.
Mary. Guerry Funeral Home of
Macclenny was in charge of ar-
rangements.

of Macdenny
Mary C. Owens, 88, died Feb-
ruary 11, 2005 at Macclenny Nurs-
ing and Rehab Center following an
extended illness. Mrs. Owens was
a native of Dowling Park and lived
in Madison before moving to Mac-
clenny 60 years ago. She was a
homemaker and a member of First
Baptist Church of Macclenny.
Mrs. Owens was predeceased
by parents Chalmer and Tommie
Wood Yates and husband William
Ernest Owens. Survivors include
daughters Patricia O. Carswell (Jer-
ry) of Lake City and Ernestine
Rowe. (Charles) of Macclenny;
brother B.B. Yates (Joyce) of Well-
born, Fla.; grandchildren Terran
Hale (Billy) of Lake City, Tona
Crews (Mike) of Macclenny, Kim
Jackson (Jerry) of Macclenny, Ty
Carswell (Pam) of Lake City, Jeff
Rowe (Wanda) of Macclenny; 15
great grandchildren.
A service was held February 13
at her church with Revs. Steve
Blackmon and Joe Royster offici-
ating. Burial was at Wellborn Cem-
etery on February 14. Guerry Fu-
neral Home of Macclenny was in
charge of arrangements.

Edna Peterson

dies at age 86
Edna Mae Peterson, 86, of
Macclenny died February 13, 2005
at Frank Wells Nursing Home fol-
lowing an extended illness. Mrs.
Peterson was a native of Tallahas-
see and resided in Jacksonville be-
fore moving to Macclenny over 1,0
years ago. She was a Methodist
and a contractor for the USPS.
She was predeceased by parents
Rainey and Edna A. Stoutamire
Russell Sr., husband William I. Pe-
terson, brother E.W. Russell and
sister Elizabeth Wynne. Survivors
include brother Rainey G. Russell
Jr. (Ramona) of Marianna, Fla.;
sisters Eloise Austin of Crawford-
ville, Eleanor Reinhardt of Bryce-
ville, Teresa Christie of Tallahas-
see; sister-in-law Juanita Russell
of Quincy.
A graveside service was held
February 16 at 2:00 pm at River-
side Memorial Park with Rev.
Richard Fish officiating. Guerry
Funeral Home of Macclenny was
in charge of arrangements.

In Memory
of
Helen M. Allen
8/31/1932 2/21/2001
Claude S. Allen
1/4/1926 2/6/2002
It has always been a thought of
mine, personally from me,
That the local paper, from our
world, Heaven will never see.
We don't leave arrangements for a
special holiday.
We know the both ofyou wouldn't
want it done that way.
Daddy, you would say, "Now, why
do you waste that money?
You younguns know that would just
upsetya'lls Honey."
You both left this world, and it really
broke our heart.
Mama, you first, and Daddy, just
short 15 days of one year apart.
You were the best parents two kids
could ever find
There never is a single day that you
don't cross our mind
You always taught us right from
wrong, and how to be a friend
Most important, you taught us about
the Lord, right up to the end
Our prayer is for the ones who have
parents still on earth.
Don't ever let life get too busy to
forget what they are worth.
Please remember too, the promise
that we have. It's up to us to find our
way
To meet our loved ones once again,
on some ordinary day.
SUSAN AND CUFF

Barber, Society honored

The Florida State Genealogy
Society awarded both Gene Barber
and the Baker County Historical
Society Outstanding Achievement
Awards. The awards recognize
contributions toward the promo-
tion of Florida genealogy, heritage,
and/or history.
The awards were presented on
November 12 at the Florida State
Genealogy Society's 28th Annual
Conference in Melbourne, Florida,
and accepted on behalf of the re-
cipients by Ann Staley, Confer-
ence Coordinator and a member of
both the Jacksonville, Genealogy
Society and the Southern Genealo-
gists Exchange Society.
BCHS President Karen Thomas,
who sent in both nominations, said,
"Mr. Barber's contributions to the
recording, celebration, and preser-
vation of our community's history
and heritage are extensive. This
recognition and appreciation of his
lifelong passion and commitment
is exceedingly well-deserved.
"The award to the Historical
Society is timely because in large
measure it reflects the tremendous
response of the entire Baker Coun-
ty community to the challenge of
raising matching funds for the Old
Jail Restoration. The matching
funds are essential for obtaining an
Historic Preservation grant for the
building."
A group of citizens founded the
Baker County Historical Society,
Inc. in 1978 to preserve the history
and heritage of Baker County. The
Society sponsors programs, school
tours and festivals. Its home since
the early 1980s has been the Old
Baker County Jail, built in 1910
and 1938.
The society published a mar-
riage record book for the county,
and reprinted two books on Baker
County families: The Knabb,
Brown, Raulerson Families and
The Williamses of Baker County.
The society publishes cemetery
records from Baker County and
other locations as an ongoing pro-
ject. This makes available ceme-
teries information in Baker, Brad-
ford, Columbia, Levy, Nassau and
Union counties, and also includes
records of Charlton County, Geor-
gia. Other available individual
cemeteries include Long Branch
Cemetery in Clay County, Memor-
ial Cemetery and Forest Lawn in
Lake City, Woodlawn Cemetery in
Perry, Taylor County, and Bethel

Cemetery in Echols County, Ga.
In May 2001, the society
launched a major effort to restore
the Old Baker County Jail. With
the help of the society and the
community, the Baker County
Commission has applied for funds
to repair the structure and update
the electrical system and has been
awarded one grant. A second ma-
jor grant is under consideration.
The society has raised over
$33,000 for the restoration project.
The goals are to preserve an im-
portant landmark in the county's
history and provide a safe environ-
ment for the books and archives,
as well as a comfortable place for
visitors and researchers.
The society's genealogical and
historical library is open and staff-
ed by volunteers on a regular ba-
sis. Information available for the
researcher includes books, micro-
film, and unpublished information.
The library's collection highlights
the southern United States, with-
emphasis on Georgia and Florida.
The library houses numerous un-
published records on Baker Coun-
ty. The collections of two genealo-
gists, Loyce Knabb Coleman and
Lt. Col. Mace Harris, were donat-
ed to the Society and are available
for research. Additionally, much of
the research of noted county histo-
rian Gene Barber is on file for use.
The society serves as the desig-
nated legal repository for obsolete
county records-tax, voter and sim-
ilar data. The public may use these
records during library hours.
It also established a picture
archive to form a collection of
photographs, and invites the public
to view the collection and to pro-
vide additional photographs.
In 1994, the society began a
major project of registration and
designation of historically signifi-
cant sites in Baker County, and ob-
tained official 'designation for many
sites.
In cooperation with the U.S.
Forest Service, the society applied
for grants and moved the Olustee
Depot back home. It was restored
and serves as an information cen-
ter for the Osceola National Forest.
Mr. Barber has interviewed
people and recorded Baker County
history) since boyhood. Much of
his genealogical research and his-
torical writings are on file at the
Baker County Historical Society.
He was the major organizer of

the Baker County Centennial Cel-
ebration in 1961, and the Glen St.
Mary Centennial and Macclenny
Centennial Celebrations in the
1980s.
He was the charter president of
the Baker County Historical Soci-
ety.
Mr. Barber wrote a weekly col-
umn for The Baker County Press
for nine years covering Baker
County history, and recently re-
newed that endeavor with a regu-
lar column.
He produced a series of large
paintings for City Hall depicting
early life in Macclenny, and did a
four panel mural with dozens of
vignettes of Baker County history,
flora and fauna that is on display
in the Baker County Court-
house-with a detailed key explain-
ing the scenes.
Mr. Barber is currently writing
a book on the history of Baker
County.

George Hedge is

honored by ACS
George Hedge of Macclenny, a 28 year
volunteerfor the American Cancer Society
and a cancer survivor, was given an
award recognizing longtime service dur-
ing a Valentine banquet February 11 at the
ag center. The award was presented by
Dave Garrison, district coordinator for
the American Cancer Society. The benefit
dinner and silent auction sponsored by the
Republican Women of Baker County
raised $3500 jor the cancer group.

Bon January 25
Allen and Staci Crawford of
Sanderson are proud to announce
the birth of son Jayden Allen
Crawford on January 25 at St. Vin-
cent's Medical Center. Jayden
weighed 9.3 pounds and was 19'/2
inches long.
Grandparents are Teddy Roy
and Janice Harvey of South Caro-
lina, Vickie Harvey of Sanderson,
Alvin and Diane Crawford of San-
derson. Great grandparents are
Auzzie and Bertha Crawford of
Glen St. Mary, Mildred Thomas
and Harold Coley of Tennessee.

Brother arrives
Marissa Rhoden is happy to an-
nounce the birth of brother Ridge
Lewis on January 14 at Orange
Park Medical Center. He weighed
eight pounds and was 20 inches
long.
Proud parents are Lewis and Sta-
cy Rhoden of Sanderson. Grand-
parents are Leonard Ray and Gail
Davis of Macclenny, Clo and the
late Arnold Rhoden of Sanderson.
Great grandparents are Ulys and
Thelma Davis of Macclenny, the
late Douglas Raulerson Sr. and the
late Cleo Raulerson.

95th birthday!!
Annie Mae Mobley Thrift of
Macclenny turned 95 on February
15, and was feted with a birthday
party last weekend at Wells Nurs-
ing Home. Seventy-one people at-
tended.
Ms. Thrift was born to the late
Andrew Jackson and Lucy Crews
Mobley in 1910 and she and her
late husband Russie have two
adopted children, Danny and the
late Sybil.

59t anniversary
Lois and Elmer Lee Bennett of
Macclenny will celebrate their
59th wedding anniversary on Feb-
ruary 17. They were married in
Folkston, Ga.
Their children are Rita Carol
Branham of Starke, Mikell Ben-
nett (Dale) of Macclenny and Lora
Waller (KC) of Maxville.

Adult Ed test
The Test of Adult Basic Educa-
tion test will be offered March 3
from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the
Family Service Center next to Kel-
ler Intermediate School. Those ar-
riving late will not be permitted to
take the test.
Pre-registration and payment of
$15 is required no later than March
2 at the Family Service Center.
Please bring the exact amount, as
we can not make change. TABE
review booklets are available. For
more information, call Cheryl
Ward at 259-4110 or 259-7871.

Zero to 50 in a Jiffy
Hanyv Birthday I

Ann and Fred Bennett

Celebrates 64!
Fred and Ann Bennett celebrat-
ed their 64th wedding anniversary
on January 17. They were married
at the home of Judge Frank and
Nancy Dowling in Macclenny. For
the special occasion, they enjoyed
a nice dinner at Woody's BBQ.
Their children are sons Danny
and wife Connie Bennett of Glen
St. Mary, Freddy and wife Connie
Bennett of Sanderson. There are
five grandchildren and five great
grandchildren.

Thanks so much
We would like to thank every-
one who contributed time, talent
and money to our recent Valentine
party at the Baker County Senior
Center.
Thanks to all who decorated
tables, worked in the kitchen,
grilled steaks and stayed to clean
up at the end.
Special thank yous to Wal-
Mart, Jimmy Barton and Watson
Goodwin for the music, Ms. Anna
for her expert cooking, the sher-
iff's department for the grill, and
everyone who brought desserts
and gifts.
And lastly, thanks to all the citi-
zens of Baker County who bought
items from our booth at the fair.
The proceeds were used to buy
food for the Valentine party.

PUBLIC NOTICE
The quarterly meeting of the Baker County
Local Mitigation Strategy Committee will take
place at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at
the Baker County Administration Building, 55
North 3rd Street, Macclenny, Florida. All interest-
ed persons are invited to attend.
2/17c

INVITATION TO NEGOTIATE
The First Coast Workforce Development, Inc.,
(dba WorkSource), has released an invitation to
negotiate to provide Youth Services for July 1,
2005 through June 30, 2006 with an option for re-
newal for 4 additional years.
A copy of the request is available at http://-
www.worksourcefl.com/businesses/youthservic-
es.pdf or at 2141 Loch Rane Blvd., Suite 107, Or-
ange Park, FL 32073. For additional information
contact: D. Nevison, 904/213-3800, x-2010. Dead-
line to submit is 2:00 pm (EST) 4/1/05.
2/17c

REGISTRATION OF FICTITIOUS NAMES
I the undersigned, being duly sworn, do here-
by declare under oath that the names of all per-
sons interested in the business or profession car-
ried on under the name of Rafter Double C Sad-
dlery whose principle place.of business is: 7180
Bill Davis Rd., Glen St. Mary, FL 32040 and the
extent of the interest of each is as follows:
NAME EXTENT OF INTEREST
Patti U. Cornellier 100%
Patti U. Comellier
Signature
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF BAKER
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21st
day of January, 2005.
Al Fraser
Clerk of Courts
Baker County, Florida
By Bonnie Palleschi
As Deputy Clerk
2/17p

REGISTRATION OF FICTITIOUS NAMES
We the undersigned, being duly sworn, do
hereby declare under oath that the names of all
persons interested in the business or profession
carried on under the name of Instant Rain Irriga-
tion whose principle place of business is: 4566
Oak St., Macclenny, FL 32063 and the extent of
the interest of each is as follows:
NAME EXTENT OF INTEREST
John Roberts 50%
Charles Roberts 50%
John M. Roberts
Charles Roberts
Signatures
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF BAKER
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th
day of February, 2005.
Al Fraser
Clerk of Courts
Baker County, Florida
By Jamie Crews
As Deputy Clerk
2/17p
REGISTRATION OF FICTITIOUS NAMES
I the undersigned, being duly sworn, do here-
by declare under oath that the names of all per-
sons interested' in the business or profession car-
ried on under the name of Father and Son Lawn
Service whose principle place of business is:
6829 Odis Yarborough Rd., Glen St. Mary, FL
32040 and the extent of the interest of each is as
follows:
NAME EXTENT OF INTEREST
Thomas D. Rhoden 100%
Thomas D. Rhoden
Signature
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF BAKER
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th
day of February, 2005.
Al Fraser
Clerk of Courts
Baker County, Florida
By Bonnie M. Palleschi
As Deputy Clerk
2/17p
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
NOTICE OF INTENT TO FIND THE
BAKER COUNTY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS) IN
COMPLIANCE
DOCKET NO. 04-2-NOI-0201-(A)-(I)
The Department gives notice of its intent to
find the Amendment(s) to the Comprehensive
Plan for Baker County, adopted by Ordinance
No(s). 2004-28, 2004-31 and 2004-32 on Decem-
ber 7, 2004, IN COMPLIANCE, pursuant to Sec-
tions 163.3184, 163.3187 and 163.3189, F.S.
The adopted Baker County Comprehensive
Plan Amendment(s) and the Department's Objec-
tions, Recommendations and Comments Report,
(if any), are available for public Inspection Mon-
day through Friday, except for legal holidays, dur-
ing normal business hours, at the County Admin-
istration Building, 55 North Third Street, Macclen-
ny, Florida 32063.
Any affected person, as defined in Section
163.3184, F.S., has alright to petition for an ad-
ministrative hearing to challenge the proposed
agency determination that the Amendment(s) to
the Baker County Comprehensive Plan are In
Compliance, as defined in Subsection 163.3184(1),
F.S. The petition must be filed within twenty-one
(21) days after publication of this notice, and must
Include all of the information and contents de-
scribed in Uniform Rule 28-106.201, F.A.C. The
petition must be filed with the Agency Clerk, De-
partment of Community Affairs, 2555 Shumard
Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100,
and a copy mailed or delivered to the local gov-
ernment. Failure to timely file a petition shall con-
stitute a waiver of any right to request an adminis-
trative proceeding as a petitioner under Sections
120.569 and 120.57, F.S. If a petition is filed, the
purpose of the administrative hearing will be to
present evidence and testimony and forward a
recommended order to the Department. If no peti-
tion is filed, this Notice of Intent shall become final
agency action.
If a petition is filed, other affected persons
may petition for leave to intervene in the proceed-
Ing. A petition for intervention must be filed at
least twenty (20) days before the final hearing
and must include all of the information and con-
tents described in Uniform Rule 28-106.205,
F.A.C. A petition for leave to intervene shall be fil-
ed at the Division of Administrative Hearings, De-
partment of Management Services, 1230 Apa-
lachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-
3060. Failure to petition to intervene within the al-

lowed time frame constitutes a waiver of any right
such a person has to request a hearing under
Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S., or to partici-
pate in the administrative hearing.
After an administrative hearing petition is
timely filed, mediation is available pursuant to
Subsection 163.3189(3)(a), F.S., to any affected
person who is made a party to the proceeding by
filing that request with the administrative law
judge assigned by the Division of Administrative
Hearings. The choice of mediation shall not affect
a party's right to an administrative hearing.
CHARLES GAUTHIER, AICP
CHIEF OF COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
DIVISION OF COMMUNITY PLANNING
2555 SHUMARD OAK BOULEvARD
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-2100
2/17C

WORKSHOP
The Baker County Board of Commissioners
will be conducting a workshop on February 21,
2005 at 3:30 pm, with all interested parties to dis-
cuss:
A proposed Ordinance of the Board of County
Commissioners of Baker County, Florida amend-

ing sections 8.03.01 and 8.03.02 of the Baker
County Land Development Land Regulations to
require the pavement of dirt roads included within
a proposed subdivision of land; and to require
uniformity between the procedures for the crea-
tion and modification of subdivisions; and provid-
ing an effective date.
2/10-17c

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
The Baker County District School Board will
hold the following public hearing on Monday,
March 21, 2005, at 6:30 pm in theOlustee Volun-
teer Fire Department Ibcated at Highway 90,
Olustee, Florida:
Approval of these changes/deletions/addi-
tions to School Board policies:
Delete 8.280 (Change Orders)
Replace 8.280 with 8/271 (Change Orders)
Delete 6.310 (Terminal Sick Leave)
Replace 6.310 with 6.32 (Terminal Sick
Leave)
These documents are available for review in
the office of the superintendent between the
hours of 8:00 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through
Friday.
The public is invited and encouraged to at-
tend.
Paula T. Barton
Superintendent of Schools
2/10-3/17c

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE
EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR
BAKER COUNTY, FLORIDA.
CASE NO.: 99-393 CA
CHASE MANHATTAN MORTGAGE COR-
PORATION,
SPlaintiff,
vs.
LETRICIA B. MCINARNAY, ET UX., ET AL.,
Defendants)
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an
order or final judgement scheduling foreclosure
sale entered on February 10, 2005 in this case
now pending in said court, the style of which is in-
dicated above.
I will sell to the highest and best bidder for
cash in the Baker County Courthouse, East Door,
339 East Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny, Florida,
32063 at 11:00 am on the 11th day of March,
2005, the following described property as set forth
in said Order or Final Judgment, to wit:
Lot 119, Old Nursery Plantation, ac-
cording to the plat thereof recorded in
Plat Book 2, pages 85 and 85 A-J, In
the public records of Baker County,
Florida.
ORDERED at Baker County, Florida, this
11th day of February, 2005.
AI Fraser
Clerk of Courts
By: Jamie Crews
As Deputy Clerk
SPEAR AND HOFFMAN, P.A.
708 S. Dixie Highway
Coral Gables, Florida 33146
Telephone: (305) 666-2299
2/17-24c
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE
EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR
BAKER COUNTY, FLORIDA.'
: ,I ;. ,,CIV CTION,.
CASE NO.: 0-22004-CA-145
WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE, INC.
F/K/A NORWEST MORTGAGE,4NC.,
Plaintiff,. .
vs.
QUENTIN GRIFFIS, ETAL,
Defendants
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a fi-
nal judgment of mortgage foreclosure dated Feb-
ruary 3, 2005 entered in Case No. 02-2004-CA-
145 of the Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Cir-
cuit in and for Baker County, Florida wherein
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc., F/K/A Norwest
Mortgage, Inc., is the plaintiff and Quentin Griffis;
Durden Surveying and Mapping, Inc.; tenant #1
N/K/A Alicia Crow; tenant #2 N/KA Dustin Gatlin
are the defendants, I will sell to the highest and
best bidder for cash at the front door of the Baker
County Courthouse at 11:00 am on the 8th day of
March, 2005, the following described property as
set forth in said final judgment:
Part of the northeast 1/4-of the south-
east 1/4 of Section 12, Township 3
South, Range 21 East, Baker County,
Florida being more particularly de-
scribed as follows:
For a point of reference commence at a
found concrete monument on the north
right-of-way line of State Road 23-A (an
80' right-of-way as now established
and also known as Woodlawn Road)
said point lying on the line of dividing
ranges 21 and 22 east;
Thence south 00, 46 minutes, 08 sec-
onds east along said dividing line, a
distance of 80' to a found '/'" Iron pipe
on the south right-of-way line of said
State Road 23-A;
Thence north 859, 48 minutes, 33 sec-
onds west along said south right-of-way
line, a distance of 117.20' to a found 2"
Iron pipe on the west right-of-way of
Stewart Road (a county maintained
graded road with no apparent right-of-
way width);
Thence south 029, 30 minutes, 10 sec-
onds west along said west right-of-
way line as monumented and posses-
sed a distance of 759.23' to a point
which approximates the point of Inter-
section of said west right-of-way line
of Stewart Road, said point also being
the point of beginning;
Thence continue south 02', 30 minutes,
10 seconds, west, departing from said
west right-of-way line of Stewart Road,
a distance of 495.57' to a found '/i" iron
pipe on the southern line of aforesaid
northeast 1/4 of the southeast 1/4 of
Section 12;
Thence south 89', 12 minutes, 20 sec-
onds east, along said southern line, a
distance of 160.55' to a point which has
28.00' westerly of the aforesaid line di-
viding ranges 21 and 22 East, said point
also establishing the west right-of-way
line of said Stewart Road;
Thence north 15', 36 minutes, 63 sec-
onds west along said west right-of-way
line, a distance of 516.38' to the point
of beginning.
Being the same lands as described in
that certain warranty deed recorded In
Official Records volume 1999, at page
2636 of the Public Records of Baker
County, Florida.

Together with a mobile home located
thereon as a fixture and appurtenance
thereto and described as a 1999 South-
ern singlewide with ID number HMST-
14580GA, title number 77798821 and
RP number 12133869.
A/K/A 8116 Stewart Road, Macclenny,
FL 32063.
WITNESS MY HAND and the seal of this
court on February 4, 2005.
AI Fraser
Clerk of Courts
By: Jamie Crews
As Deputy Clerk
ECHEVARRIA & ASSOCIATES
P.O. Box 25018
Tampa, Florida 33622-5018
File No.: F04008822
2/10-17c

LCCC hosts Artie
Shaw Orchestra
The Artie Shaw Orchestra con-
ducted by Dick Johnson will per-
form at Lake City Community
College's Alfonso Levy Perform-
ing Arts Center next Tuesday, Feb-
ruary 22.
The concert, the third in LC-
CC's Lyceum Series, will begin at
7:30 pm. Tickets are $14 general
admission, $13 seniors, and $12
for LCCC staff, students, and stu-
dents from other schools. For more
information, call the box office at
386-754-4340.

Baker Middle School boys horn in on competition
Trumpeters Richard Moore, Jeffrey Raulerson and James Majetich were among four Baker County Middle School students who turned in
medal-winning performances at the District IV Solo & Ensemble Competition held February 5 at Mebane Middle School in Alachua
County. Mr. Moore, the band president, was rated "superior, as was Mr Raulerson, the band librarian. Mr Majetich earned an "excel-
lent, as did Daniel King, who is not in this picture.

Science winners
go on display at
LCCC Feb. 22-24
Lake City Community College
will host the Suwannee Valley Re-
gional Science and Engineering
Fair on February 22-24 in the How-
ard Gymnasium.
The fair this year includes ap-
proximately 130 student projects
from 10 counties including Baker.
Regional community business
leaders will judge the projects on
Wednesday, February 23 from
8:30 am-3:30 pm with an open
house for the community 4-6 pm.
The awards ceremony will be
held on Thursday, February 24, 7
S pm at Union County High School.
S The winners will be able to partici-
pate in the State Science and Engi-
neering Fairin Orlaniid April 6-8.
For more information, call Cher-
yl Boice at (386) 754-4251.

for the week of
February 21-25
BREAKFAST
MONDAY: No School.
TUESDAY: Sausage biscuit with milk and
juice.
WEDNESDAY: Cereal and toast with milk
and juice.
THURSDAY: Sausage roll with milk and
juice.
FRIDAY: Waffles with syrup with milk and
juice.
LUNCH
MONDAY: No School.
TUESDAY: Beef and macaroni bake or
chicken nuggets, choice of two: potato rounds,
peas and carrots, pineapple with roll, pudding or
milk.
WEDNESDAY: Chicken and roll or cheese-
burger, choice of two: whipped potatoes, cab-
bage, peaches with cookie and milk.
THURSDAY: Taco salad with roll or turkey
sandwich, choice of two: corn, salad, fruit and
milk.
FRIDAY: Chili with beans and grilled cheese
sandwich or chef's choice, choice of two: French
fries, slaw, fruit and milk.

Speak Up for a Child
and Make a Difference
Become a
Guardian-ad-Litem
(904) 966-6237

Black History
Month Festival
Lake City Community College
will host a Black History Month
Festival on February 23, 11:30
am-1:30 pm at the Alfonso Levy
Performing Arts Center. The key-
note speaker will be Rev. Mark
Crutcher from Bethel AME Church,
Pensacola,whose topic is Proud
Builders of a Proud Nation.
Reggae band "Irration" will en-
tertain and several LCCC clubs
will have booths depicting Afri-
can-American contributions to so-
ciety throughout the decades. The
Senior Services Kitchen Band will
, perform and the Mt. Pisgah Aero-
bic Ministry will demonstrate
chair exercises.
To top the celebration off, there
will be a "Taste of Soul" food
sampling and contest.
The event is free and open to
the public. For more information,
call (386) 754-4316.

Black History
celebration here
Northeast Florida State Hospital
will hold its 20th Annual Black
History Celebration February 22,
10-11 am at the John J Crews
Gym.
"The Niagara Movement" will
be the topic of guest speaker Rev.
Videll Williams of Faith Baptist
Church in Sanderson.

Pvt. Jason Davis
Finishes basic
Marine Pvt. Jason E. Davis
graduated January 28 from the 13
week basic training at Parris Is-
land, S.C.
Pvt. Davis is the son of Charlie
(Bud) and Faye Davis of Glen St.
Mary, and the brother of Susie
Harvey and Brenda Blanton. He is
the grandson of Josephine and the
late Lee M. Overby, and the late
James B. and Susie Davis. Jason is
a 2004 graduate of Baker County
High School.
He will take additional training
at Camp LeJeune, N.C. and Ft.
Leonard Wood, Mo.

The Baker County High
School boys basketball season
ended Tuesday night with a 78-73
loss to West Nassau in the first
round of the District 3-3A tourna-
ment.
It was the third time this season
the Warriors beat the Wildcats, all
within the past four weeks.
Details of Tuesday's game
were unavailable at press time.
The Cats ended their season 7-
18. Last year, they finished 13-13,
including a trip to regionals.
Despite their subpar record, the
Cats played perhaps their best
basketball of the season in two
losses leading up to the tourna-
ment.
Facing highly ranked.Potter's
House and Sandalwood on con-
secutive nights, Baker High led
both games in the fourth quarter.
They sustained a defensive in-
tensity throughout the games that
seemed to be missing earlier in
the season. The offense continual-
ly fed off the defense, repeatedly
turning steals into points.
Against Potter's House Febru-
ary 10 at Baker High, the Cats
were down 40-34 at the half, but
came out strong to dominate the
third quarter and take a 54-50
lead.
They were still up by four with
2:28 to go when they turned the
ball over on two consecutive pos-
-sessions, leading to a pair of Li-
ons' baskets to tie the game at 65
with 1:47 left.
A little more than a minute lat-
er, Potter's House hit one of two
free throws to take the lead, 66-
65.
With less than 30 seconds to
go, the Cats drew a foul but
missed both free throws.
The Lions got the rebound and
were running down the clock
when Andrew Johnson drew a
charge with 6.7 seconds left.
Potter's House, however, stole
the inbounds pass, then was
fouled-with 3.9 seconds on the
clock.
The Lions player missed both
shots and the Cats rebounded, but
Johnson didn't have time to get
off a good shot, missing a 23-foot
runner at the buzzer.
Bo Clayton led the Cats with

Kylee Canaday is called out trying to get back to first in the Lady Cats'4-1 loss to Columbia County.

Girls' fast pitch off to slow start

DontayJohnson fakes a Potter's House player into the air during the Cats'66-65 home loss
to the Lions.

16 points, while Andrew Bow-
man scored 15. Johnson had 12.
The following night, Sandal-
wood looked like it was going to
run the Wildcats out of their own
gym, taking a 25-9 lead at the end
of the first quarter.
The Saints excelled in every
phase of the game, almost as if
running down a basketball to-do
list.
Three pointers? Check.
Fast break points? Check.
Inside game? Check.
The Cats, however, were able
to withstand the initial onslaught,
turning up the defensive pressure
to close the gap to 27-19 part way
through the second quarter.
Sandalwood pulled away to a
35-24 half-time lead.
Both teams came out cold, as
the Cats scored the first bucket
nearly two minutes into the third
quarter.
The Wildcats' pressure defense
began to pay off, picking up three
straight steals that lead to a couple

CarkW Holton snags a loose ball against Sandalwood, who beat the Cats 62-47 on February
11 n their final regular season game,

SSubmitting a picture? Try these tips.
Up close and personal, but in focus!
Always use a flash.
If it must be digital, please submit a high-res photo!

of two-pointers and a free throw
to bring them to within 37-33.
By then the home crowd,
which was on the small side, was
making a lot of noise and it
seemed to affect players on both
teams.
Sandalwood shot airball, then
at the other end the Cats' Andrew
Bowman picked up a loose ball
under his basket and muscled in a
bucket to draw his team to within
two.
The Saints were called for a
three-seconds violation, but the
Cats couldn't convert on the of-
fensive end.
The teams then traded baskets',
leaving Sandalwood up 41-39 at
the end of the third quarter.
One minute into the fourth,
Andrew Johnson hit a three to
give the Cats the lead, but Sandal-
wood came right back and scored
to retake the lead.
From there, the Saints pulled
away to a 62-47 win.
Carlos Holton led Baker High
with 11 points, followed by Don-
tay Johnson and Justen Gaskins,
who each had 10.

Speak Up for a Child
and Make a Difference
Become a
Guardian-ad-Litem
(904) 966-6237

Custom Printing
Stationery
Invoices
Business Cards
Wedding Invitations
Professional Service

THE OFFICE MART
110 South Fifth St. 259-3737

The Baker County High girls soft-
ball team got off to rough start with a
tie and a late-inning loss in its Pre-
season Classic February 12.
Then three days later, the Lady
Cats dropped a home game to Co-
lumbia County, 4-1.
In all three games, they jumped
out to early leads.
Against the Tigers, Baker
scored one in the bottom of the
first, but left the bases loaded
when Columbia's centerfielder
made a finger-tip grab of a rocket
hit by -Shannon Nickels for the
third out
The Cats' only hit in the inning
- and the game was a single by
Jessi Nunn.
Columbia took the lead in the
top of the second with a pair of
runs. They also had just one hit in
the inning while leaving the bases
loaded.
The Tigers scored another pair
on a two-run double in the sixth.
Ashley Norman tossed her third
straight complete game. Just two

of the runs she allowed were
earned.
In the first game of the Classic,
the Cats took a 5-0 lead into the
fifth inning against Middleburg.
They scored all five runs in the
third inning, which was highlight-
ed by Sarah Bradley's one-out
triple, and low-lighted by errors
and wild pitches by the Broncos.
Ashley Norman drove in
Bradley with a single. Kassie
Crews then reached on an error,
which moved Norman to third.
Norman scored on a wild pitch
as Crews moved to third. Jessica
Jenkins then walked, and stole sec-
ond.
Nunn reached on an error that
scored Crews and moved Jenkins
to third.
Nunn stole second and ad-
vanced to third on a wild pitch that
scored Jenkins.
After two walks loaded the
bases, Shannon Nickels picked up
an RBI on a walk that forced in
Nunn, giving the Cats a 5-0 lead.
Just two of the runs were

YCats competing in city league...
This squad of young basketball players finished in the middle of a three team tournament
on February 12 at Titus Harvest Dome on Jacksonville's Southside, and plans more games
this month in the recreation league there. Coached by Chris Chisholm, the team consists of
Wendy Chisholm, Carissa Ward, Sarah Trawick, Meagan Osteen, Maise Martin and
Destiny Dela-Pena. The Baker Family YMCA is sponsoring other youth and adult basket-
ball teams this winter; most of the games are at Macclenny's First Baptist Church.

earned.
Norman held Middleburg score-
less until the fifth inning, when the
Broncos put up two runs.
In the sixth, one out from de-
feat, Middleburg reached base on
an error.
A double, single and triple tied
the game at 5. Again, only two of
the runs Norman gave up were
earned.
The Cats got a couple of base
runners in the bottom of the sixth,
but couldn't push across the win-
ning run.
Later in the day, Baker took a 2-
1 lead into the bottom of the sixth
against Paxon, which was playing
as the home team, but the Eagles
tied it.
After the Cats failed to score in
the top of the seventh, Paxon
scored a pair with one out in the
bottom half of the inning to take a
4-2 victory. Norman gave up just
one earned run.
The Cats' next game is Febru-
ary 18 at Lake Butler.

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, Until the Fat Lady Sings
S OBSERVATIONS BY BOB GERARD
, '- .

Girls' tennis wins opening match
Katie Canaday rips a backhand in the Wildcats' 6-I season opening win against Baldwin..
ICanaday, the Cats' number one player, won her sugles match 8-0, then reamed wih Alec
"Goiav to take their doubles match 8-0. Coach Karla .Amburgey's team won both of its dou-
bles matches and took four of five singles. The contest was played Tuesday at Crystal
.Springs Park in West Jacksonville.

Coming up at the
__, ^^ ,

YNICA Membership
The Baker Counn- Y1CA4
offers a balanced approach to
living a healihhier and happier
life. I' offer free fitness ori-
entation., nutritional counsel-
ing group exercise. Yoga and
other specialty classes. Youth
and adult sports, child care,
teen and family activities, 30
mniute workout programs,
and volunteer oppornanities
are all available at the 31tCA.
Make a comnitmentl to your-
self and ac/ue' e V1ot0 coals

sional staff Stop by and
receive a 5 day guest pass for
FREE' Contact Anna Lewis
for an\' ratherr questions.
YNICA Teen
Programs and
Activities
Outspok'n A.re YOU with
us? Meetings are every other
Thursday from 7-S pm.
Leaders Club Train, travel,
and learn }31CA leadership,
working with children and
attending weekend workshops.
TG.L.F for teens Evern
Friday night our teen center
offers a fim time for teens
after a long, hard week of
school. The teen center pro-
vides blood, games, music, ailnd
tons otffun for only S5.
For anv further questions, call
Chris Stttsinger at 25Q-0Q'S08.
YMCA Spring Soccer
Late registration has started
for )YICA Spring Soccer for
ages 4-1-". Registration wiill
end on FebruarY' 1 7th.
Registration fees arc 530 for
members and S "0 for program
participants. If !'ou ate inter-
ested in coaching, come by
and we wiill get .ou coaching.
For an\- firthier questions,
contact James Thomas.
Really Caring
Scholarsliips Available
No one is turned awaY' from
the Y IC4iA for the
inability to pa\. The YICA
offers financial aid
scholarships for families,
adults, teens, and 'oulth
to be able to enjio\' member-
slhp. sports, (day camp,
programs, atnd much more.'
Come by today\ to appl\ at
the )YCA Front Desk.

Sometimes the power of the
press, mixed with someone being
a big-mouthed jerk. can be a force
for good. Such could be the case
with Jose Canseco and his steroid
brouhaha.
Canseco. the former all star
slugger for the Oakland Athletics,
has just released a book titled,
"Juiced: Wild Timesi Rampant,
RRoids, Smash Hits and How
Baseball Got Big."
He insists that some of the
biggest names in baseball were
juiced on steroids.
Canseco claims he personally.
injected retired home run king.
Mark McGwire and current Yan-
kee Jason Giambi in the bathroom -
of the Athletics' workout room.
Canseco makes no apologies
about his use of banned sub-
stances. In fact, he is a big propo-
nent of steroid use.
He says McGwire. Giambi and
he would talk regularly about dif-
ferent kinds of steroids and what
each was used for.
He claims that at one point 80
percent of baseball players had ex-
perimented with steroids.
McGwire denies Conseco'sal-
legations. "Once and for all, I did
not use steroids or any illegal sub-
stances."
When Conseco moved to the
Texas Rangers, he introduced
steroids to Juan Gonzalez, Ivan
Rodriquez, and Rafael Palmeiro,
according to his book.
He also claims that George W.
Bush, a Rangers' owner at the
time, turned a blind eNe to the drug
use, a claim the White House de-
nies.
Canseco's book comes on the .
heels of a grand jury investigation
into BALCO, a San Francisco-area
sports supplement laboratory.
Leaks of the supposedly secret :
testimony brought to the forefront
the illegal use of steroids in basiw
ball.
Among the names connected to
the investigation is Barry Bonds,
perhaps the greatest player ever
Bonds denies knowingly using
steroids.
Gt jnmi. \'hor appeared before
L-l 1.mJ j61 ui), ;L,.l aILuC -
press conference at which he apol-
ogiied to everyone under'.tte stit;r i
but did not, for legal reasons, ad-
mit to using steroids. His lawyers
told reporters to "redd between the.
lines." '
Canseco mav'hae been the top -
juicer in the league, but the biggest
villain in this. story has to be.,t~: .

FULL TIME CUSTOMER
S SERVICE POSITION
- Local agency has immedi-
ate opening for the right
Person who possesses
good office and computer
skills. Afternoons Monday
Friday. Must be motivated
to learn skills necessary to
be licensed as Insurance
CR. Potential for full time
position exists.
i--'!
Reply in confidence by
S faxing resum6 to 259-3987.

Actively seeking qualified Managers
for area locations.
Resumes may be faxed to (386) 755-2296
or applications may be obtained at any location.

WE SELL PROPERTY FAST!!

LET US SELL YOURS...
1II

Deep Water- 60 beautiful acres
on the St. Mary's River. Many native
palm trees. This unique property was
once a deep water port for sailing
ships. Secluded with its own private
road. Located next to the world
famous White Oak Plantation in
Nassau County. If you are looking
for a private estate site, this is it.
Shown to qualified buyers by appt.
only. Priced at $3,500,000
3 Bedroom, 2 Bath- 1400 sq. ft.
DW rrside
Estate -' assau
County. See to appreciate. $82,000
Reduced to $77,500
Duval County- Yellow Water Rd.
2000 Ri, 2
BA, 1 er 1
acre and has its own fish pond.
$7900 Reduced to $75,000